Anglican Journal enjoys a special relationship with the 23 regional or “diocesan” newspapers that bring local news to parishioners in some 30 dioceses across Canada. We asked some of the diocesan newspaper editors to describe what this unique and vibrant news group means to them.

The glue that holds us together

One of my fondest memories from childhood is sitting with my family at the dinner table, discussing matters of the day. It was usually a lively discussion and we were encouraged and even expected to share our point of view, no matter how strange it seemed. While we rarely agreed with each other, we nevertheless knew in some unspoken way that these discussions kept us together and even deepened our love for each other.

I think of The Anglican and the Anglican Journal in the same way. Each month the Anglican family across the country sits down to share news, offer opinion and generally hang out with each other. Like those family conversations of long ago, they are the glue that holds us together.

—Stuart Mann is editor of The Anglican, the newspaper of the diocese of Toronto.

A prophetic voice in our church

The Anglican Journal, whether in print or electronic form, is a vital tool for the church to communicate its message. Positive stories share positive ideas which can be used elsewhere.

They also convey encouragement and joy. These stories are a means of proclaiming to those outside the church that the church is alive and that God is at work in the world today. By helping us know and share these stories, the Journal helps build up the faith of church members as well as evangelizing those who are not yet members.

Stories of conflict and need direct us to prayer and action to bring about reconciliation and relief wherever needed. The Journal is a central prophetic voice in our church and it is a means of binding us together across and beyond our nation. Its importance cannot be measured.

—The Rev. Patrick Tomalin is former editor of the Saskatchewan Anglican, the newspaper of the dioceses of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon and Qu'Appelle. He is also former president of the Anglican Editors Association, and was a member of the Anglican Journal board.

Supported by readers and leaders alike

As a diocesan newspaper editor, I come into contact with Anglicans of all ages and all walks of life. The common bond they share is their distinctive faith journey as part of the larger Christian community. Crosstalk, our award-winning diocesan newspaper, helps them in that journey.

It’s a ministry of more than 60 years that provides news, information and entertainment for Anglican readers in an expansive jurisdiction that includes the nation’s capital as well as small rural farming and forestry communities. Our newspaper enjoys the support of readers and leaders alike. It’s a “wonderful tool that we have and share,” writes Bishop John Chapman in his Crosstalk column. “I thank God for the storytellers, the artists, the debaters and the prophets and risk-takers. Those who take the risk to speak in the public forum enrich the lives and faith of we, the readers.”

—Art Babych is editor of Crosstalk, the newspaper of the diocese of Ottawa.

Partners in informing readers

The value of the Anglican Journal changed for me when I became a diocesan newspaper editor. Previously, I had scanned it for news of Anglican friends across Canada and to keep current on the “business” side of the church. But as a diocesan editor, I feel the Journal and its staff are my partners in informing The Sower readers about all aspects of the activities, struggles and merits of our church. Through the Journal I have been able to gain a wider audience for some outstanding stories happening in our diocese. We have much to learn from each other in the national church and the wider Anglican Communion. Personally, I look to the Journal to help me in understanding how all this affects the readers of The Sower. But I think it would be best if they read the Journal for themselves and formed their own opinions.

—Tim Christison is editor of The Sower, the newspaper for the diocese of Calgary.

Readers tell us

Since 1875, Anglican Journal has been connecting Anglicans across Canada and around the world. We asked some of our readers to describe what Anglican Journal means to them.

Here is what they told us…

“Keeps me in touch”

For almost a year now, I've had the privilege of reading the Anglican Journal. As an ordained person, Anglican by birth, and thereafter by choice and conviction, it is a joy to be kept abreast with what´s “rolling” in that part of the Anglican Communion. Thank you for this gift!

—(Retired) Deacon Cynthia A.M. Dickin, Montevideo, Uruguay

“Lets me follow the journey of others”

The Anglican Journal should be called the Anglican Journey. That is what it means to me. It’s walking with our friends, neighbours and families as they follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ in spreading his word. Through the Journal, we watch as people reach out to people in many walks of life. We learn through their experiences and hope to gain insight into what God expects of us.

—Heather Cutten, the Anglican Parish of Salt Spring Island

“Helps me appreciate different views”

My memories go back to when it was the Canadian Churchman. I read it pretty thoroughly, and often looked first at the Letters to the Editor. It is interesting to see what is going on in different parts of the Canadian church, as we are such a diverse country, and here in the far west we often have different views than in the more staid areas in the east.

—Patricia Radcliffe, St. Paul’s, Nanaimo

“Warms my heart”

I had become depressed every time I saw my Anglican Journal in the mail. Negativity seemed to abound in the pages. Sometimes I could barely read the hostile letters and comments, all in the name of faith. And then came the April issue. The articles warmed my heart and actually made me feel blessed to have read the Journal. I want to say ‘Thank you.’

—Diane Cingel, Red Deer, AB

“Strong support in the pews”

Welcome and congratulations on your appointment as the boss Anglican scribe. Your starting gun editorial is impressive and your concerns palpable for many readers. They certainly wish you well as you wrestle with issues in our Anglican community.

Our church’s time warp goes back a long way to Nicene codes of 350 A.D. An enormous elephant is entrenched in the church making progress very difficult. But you will find strong, helpful and capable support in the pews, albeit guarded and hesitant.

—Bill Hyde, Georgetown, ON

“Mission accomplished”

You achieved your goal [in getting the Journal ‘unstuck’]. The September issue [2009] was a joy to read. It was perhaps the first time in four years I have read the entire edition. Thank you for the professional and fresh content.

—Stephen G. Kerr PhD, Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois

“There’s always hope!”

I was about to discontinue sending even a modest contribution to what has been in my opinion a dull and ‘preachy’ publication. But suddenly, there is hope. Ministers are dancing and Jesus may have smiled. Bravo! Now if our senior clergy can only be weaned away from deciding it is ‘chic’ to be bearded as heavily as 19th century Imams…there’s always hope!

—Barbara Whitley, Westmount, QC

“We will survive”

I am just so excited and feeling so upbeat about our church after reading, from beginning to end, the last two issues of the Anglican Journal. Just fabulous! We have so needed some upbeat stories, and so many of the stories and teachings in the Anglican Journal lately have reassured me that my beloved church will survive. Thank you for making my day.

The Anglican Journal is the national newspaper of the
Anglican Church of Canada. It is published 10 times a year and carries 23
regional newspapers that provide important local information for Anglican
dioceses. The website of the Anglican Journal—anglicanjournal.com—keeps
visitors informed with daily news of interest to Anglicans across Canada
and around the world.